Tuesday, October 30, 2012

The Door to Hell, 41 years and still burning!

While drilling in 1971, Soviet geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas.The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of 70 metres (230 ft). To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided the best solution was burn it off.Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, bu
t the gas is still burning today. Locals have dubbed the cavern "The Door to Hell".

No one can estimate how much more gas there still is. When they first lit the gas crater on fire, they thought the fire would go out after a few days. It’s been more than a few day, it’s been more than a few weeks or months. It’s been decades and the gas crater is burning just as it did the day it was first lit. Putting all economical loses from wasted natural gas aside, imagine the ecological impact this burning gas has cause during decades of non stop burning!

Located in Darvaza, Turkmenistan.

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